Manuel Padilla Jr.
ActingAbout Manuel Padilla Jr.
In the 1960s, Padilla was a popular child actor, usually playing the Mexican or Indian boy in TV westerns such as "Rawhide," "Bonanza" and "Gunsmoke". He was a regular in the 1960s TV series "Tarzan", with actor Ron Ely, in dozens of episodes as native boy 'Jai', and as also a semi-regular in the TV series, "The Flying Nun", with actress Sally Field. In featured films, as an adult, Padilla made appearances in the films, "The Great White Hope", "American Graffiti", "A Man Called Horse", and "Scarface", among others. Padilla died unexpectedly at age 52, just after making a public appearance at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, in January 2008.
Manuel Padilla Jr. Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Manuel Padilla Jr. reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 18 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Manuel Padilla Jr.'s work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 17% of Manuel Padilla Jr.'s films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Scarface, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Manuel Padilla Jr. Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Manuel Padilla Jr.'s career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Manuel Padilla Jr. has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Scarface | Kid #2 | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | More American Graffiti | Carlos | Flop | Similar → |
| 1978 | Cotton Candy | Julio Sanchez | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | American Graffiti | Carlos | Hit | Similar → |
| 1971 | Tarzan and the Perils of Charity Jones | Jai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | The Great White Hope | Paco | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Tarzan's Deadly Silence | Jai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1970 | A Man Called Horse | Leaping Buck | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Cutter's Trail | Paco Avila | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | The Mountains of the Moon | Jai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1967 | Tarzan's Jungle Rebellion | Jai | Flop | Similar → |
| 1967 | Tarzan and the Great River | Pepe | Flop | Similar → |
| 1966 | Tarzan and the Valley of Gold | Ramel | Flop | Similar → |
| 1965 | Taffy and the Jungle Hunter | Beau | Flop | Similar → |
| 1965 | Sylvia | Pancho Guzman (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Orphan Boy | Average | Similar → |
| 1963 | The Young and the Brave | Han | Average | Similar → |
| 1963 | Dime with a Halo | Rafael | Flop | Similar → |
Manuel Padilla Jr. - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Manuel Padilla Jr.?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Manuel Padilla Jr. is "Scarface" with a rating of 8.2/10.
How many movies has Manuel Padilla Jr. acted in?
Manuel Padilla Jr. has been featured in at least 18 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Manuel Padilla Jr.?
Other notable films include "Cutter's Trail", "American Graffiti", and "A Man Called Horse".